Systems Engineering Lead Senior Staff (SkunkWorks) - Level 5 (Palmdale)

Reference: 727910BRPosted: 2026-05-19Location: Palmdale, CaliforniaSalary: $147,700 - $255,990Clearance: Secret with Investigation or CV date within 5 yearsCompany: Lockheed MartinDescription:You will be the Systems Engineering Lead Senior Staff (Level 5) for the Advanced Development Program (ADP) which is responsible for pioneering cutting‑edge aircraft concepts.What You Will Be DoingAs the Systems Engineering Lead Senior Staff (Level 5), you will be responsible for leading high-performance teams in the development and sustainment of air systems, managing program cost, schedule, and technical performance, and pursuing new business with the ability to grow and maintain positive customer relationships.Your responsibilities will include:- Managing systems engineering, configuration management, reliability maintainability & availability, and system safety.- Leading high-performance teams in the development and sustainment of air systems.- Generating cost estimates, creating schedules, supporting reviews, and reporting to senior leadership.- Developing statements of work, managing subcontractors, and ensuring program objectives are being met.- Pursuing new business with the ability to grow and maintain positive customer relationships.- Experience with Technical data management and DMS mitigation.What’s In It For YouWe are committed to supporting your work‑life balance and overall well‑being, offering flexible scheduling options. Learn more about Lockheed Martin’s comprehensive benefits package here.Do you want to be part of a company culture that empowers employees to think big, lead with a growth mindset, and make the impossible a reality? We provide the resources and give you the flexibility to enable inspiration and focus – if you have the passion and courage to pursue ambitious goals, work hard, and enjoy what you do, then we want to build a better tomorrow with you.Who You AreThe ideal candidate demonstrates program‑management and technical‑leadership expertise, strong performance metrics, and extensive experience in the development and sustainment of air systems. You are self‑motivated, adopt a systems‑engineering approach to proposals, planning, and execution, and excel at collaborating across disciplines.Further Information About This OpportunityThis position is in Palmdale, CA. Discover PalmdaleMUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN - This position is located at a facility that requires special access. The selected candidate must possess a Secret clearance to start.aerosystemsBasic Qualifications:- A minimum of a BS in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent education with professional experience and specialized training commensurate with this assignment.- 5+ years' experience in technical leadership role or formal technical management experience.- Full understanding of the interdependencies of the Systems Engineering “V”.- Full understanding of Requirement traceability both upwards and downwards.- Experience as a Systems Engineer in program engineering lifecycles performing requirements derivation, decomposition, and verification.- Experience in most lifecycle phases from program start to Mission Operations.- Experience in Configuration Management.- Experience with Workforce staffing and management.Desired Skills:- Team Leadership and organizational optimization experience.- Demonstrated communication skills with both customers and management.- Strong interpersonal skill working with team members and various stakeholders.- Experience generating Statements of Work (SOW).- Program or Project Management experience.- Background working with suppliers and various IPT leads.- Technical writing experience.- EVMS and Control Account Management (CAM) experience.Security Clearance Statement: This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration.Clearance Level: Secret with Investigation or CV date within 5 yearsOther Important Information You Should KnowExpression of Interest: By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.Ability to Work Remotely: Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.Work Schedules: Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.Schedule for this Position: 4x10 hour day, 3 days off per weekPay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $128,400 - $226,435. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.This position is incentive plan eligible.Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $147,700 - $255,990. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.This position is incentive plan eligible.Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.At Lockheed Martin, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work. With our employees as our priority, we provide diverse career opportunities designed to propel, develop, and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. We place an emphasis on empowering our employees by fostering an inclusive environment built upon integrity and corporate responsibility.If this sounds like a culture you connect with, you’re invited to apply for this role. Or, if you are unsure whether your experience aligns with the requirements of this position, we encourage you to search on Lockheed Martin Jobs, and apply for roles that align with your qualifications.Experience Level: Experienced ProfessionalBusiness Unit: AERONAUTICS COMPANYRelocation Available: PossibleCareer Area: Systems Engineering: OtherType: Full-TimeShift: First